Rules Governing the Legal Profession and Judiciary in Illinois
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Rule 61 | Canon 1. A Judge Should Uphold the Integrity and Independence of the Judiciary |
| Rule 62 | Canon 2. A Judge Should Avoid Impropriety and the Appearance of Impropriety in All of the Judge's Activities |
| Rule 63 | Canon 3. A Judge Should Perform the Duties of Judicial Office Impartially and Diligently (Amended April 17, 2007) |
| Rule 64 | Canon 4. A Judge May Engage in Activities to
Improve the Law, the Legal System and the Administration of
Justice (Amended May 24, 2006) |
| Rule 65 | Canon 5. A Judge Should Regulate His or Her Extrajudicial Activities to Minimize the Risk of Conflict With the Judge's Judicial Duties (Amended May 24, 2006) |
| Rule 66 | Canon 6. Nonjudicial Compensation and Annual Statement of Economic Interests |
| Rule 67 | Canon 7. A Judge or Judicial Candidate Shall Refrain from Inappropriate Political Activity |
| Rule 68 | Declaration of Economic Interests |
| Rule 69 | Reserved |
| Rule 70 | Reserved |
| Rule 71 | Violation of Rules |
| Rules 72-75 | Reserved |
| Rule 76 | Military Service of Judges |
| Rules 77-85 | Reserved |
Preamble
Our legal system is based on the principle that an independent, fair and competent judiciary will interpret and apply the laws that govern us. The role of the judiciary is central to American concepts of justice and the rule of law. Intrinsic to all provisions of this code are precepts that judges, individually and collectively, must respect and honor the judicial office as a public trust and strive to enhance and maintain confidence in our legal system. The judge is an arbiter of facts and law for the resolution of disputes and a highly visible symbol of government under the rule of law.
The Code of Judicial Conduct is intended to establish standards for ethical conduct of judges. It consists of broad statements called canons, specific rules set forth in lettered subsections under each canon, and Committee Commentary. The text of the canons and the rules is authoritative. The Committee Commentary, by explanation, and example, provides guidance with respect to the purpose and meaning of the canons and rules. The Commentary is not intended as a statement of additional rules.
The canons and rules are rules of reason. They should be applied consistent with constitutional requirements, statutes, other court rules and decisional law and in the context of all relevant circumstances. The Code is to be construed so as not to impinge on the essential independence of judges in making judicial decisions.
The Code is designed to provide guidance to judges and candidates for judicial office and to provide a structure for regulating conduct through disciplinary agencies. It is not designed or intended as a basis for civil liability or criminal prosecution. Furthermore, the purpose of the Code would be subverted if the Code were invoked by lawyers for mere tactical advantage in a proceeding.
The canons are not standards of discipline in themselves, but express the policy considerations underlying the rules contained within the canons. The text of the rules is intended to govern conduct of judges and to be binding upon them. It is not intended, however, that every transgression will result in disciplinary action. Whether disciplinary action is appropriate, and the degree of discipline to be imposed, should be determined through a reasonable and reasoned application of the text of the rules and should depend on such factors as the seriousness of the transgression, whether there is a pattern of improper activity and the effect of the improper activity on others or on the judicial system.
The Code of Judicial Conduct is not intended as an exhaustive guide for the conduct of judges. They should also be governed in their judicial and personal conduct by general ethical standards. The Code is intended, however, to state basic standards which should govern the conduct of all judges and to provide guidance to assist judges in establishing and maintaining high standards of judicial and personal conduct. (Adopted August 6, 1993, effective immediately.)
"Candidate"
A Candidate is a person seeking public election for or public
retention in judicial office.
A person becomes a candidate for judicial office as soon as he
or she makes a public announcement of candidacy, declares or files as
a candidate with the election authority, or authorizes solicitation or
acceptance of contributions or support.
"Court
personnel"
does not include the lawyers in a proceeding before a judge.
"De
minimis"
denotes an insignificant interest that could not raise
reasonable question as to a judge's impartiality.
"Economic
interest"
denotes ownership of a more than de
(i)
ownership of an interest in a mutual or common investment fund
that holds securities is not an economic interest in such securities
unless the judge participates in the management of the fund or a
proceeding pending or impending before the judge could substantially
effect the value of
the interest;
(ii)
service by a judge as an officer, director, advisor or other
active participant in an educational, religious, charitable, fraternal
or civic organization, or service by a judge's spouse, parent or child
as an officer, director, advisor or other active participant in any
organization does not create an economic interest in securities held
by that organization;
(iii)
a deposit in a financial institution, the proprietary interest
of a policyholder in a mutual insurance company, of a depositor in a
mutual savings association or of a member in a credit union, or a
similar proprietary interest, is not an economic interest in the
organization unless a proceeding pending or impending before the judge
could substantially affect the value of the interest;
(iv)
ownership of government securities is not an economic interest
in the issuer unless a proceeding pending or impending before the
judge could substantially affect the value of the securities.
"Fiduciary"
includes such relationships as executor, administrator,
trustee, and guardian.
"He"
Whenever this pronoun is used it includes the feminine as well
as the masculine form.
"Judge"
includes circuit and associate judges and judges of the
appellate and supreme court.
"Knowingly,"
"knowledge," "known" or "knows"
denotes actual knowledge of the fact in question.
A person's knowledge may be inferred from circumstances.
"Law"
denotes court rules as well as statutes, constitutional
provisions and decisional law.
"Member
of a candidate's/judge's family"
denotes a spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent or
other relative or person with whom the candidate maintains a close
familial relationship.
"Member
of the judge's family residing in the judge's household"
denotes any relative of a judge by blood or marriage, or a
person treated
by a judge as a member of the judge's family who resides in the
judge's household.
"Political
organization"
denotes a political party or other group, the principal purpose
of which is to further the election or appointment of candidates to
political office.
"Public
election"
This term includes primary and general elections: it includes
partisan elections, nonpartisan elections and retention elections.
"Require"
The rules prescribing that a judge "require" certain
conduct of others are, like all of the rules in this Code, rules of
reason.
The use of the term "require" in that context means a
judge is to exercise reasonable direction and control over the conduct
of those persons subject to the judge's direction and control.
"Third
degree of relationship"
The following persons are relatives within the third degree or
relationship: great-grandparent, grandparent, parent, uncle, aunt,
brother, sister, child, grandchild, great-grandchild, nephew or niece.
(Adopted August 6, 1993, effective
immediately.)
GENERAL RULES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF ILLINOIS
ARTICLE
I.
RULE
61
Canon 1.
A Judge Should Uphold the Integrity and Independence of the
Judiciary.
An independent and honorable judiciary is indispensable to
justice in our society.
A judge should participate in establishing, maintaining, and
enforcing, and should personally observe, high standards of conduct so
that the integrity and independence of the judiciary may be preserved.
The provisions of this Code should be construed and applied to
further that objective. (Adopted
December 2, 1986, effective January 1, 1987; amended August
6, 1993, effective immediately; amended October 15, 1993, effective
immediately.)
RULE
62
Canon 2.
A Judge Should Avoid Impropriety and the Appearance of
Impropriety in All of the Judge's Activities.
A. A judge should respect and comply with the law and
should conduct himself or herself at all times in a manner that
promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the
judiciary.
B. A judge should not allow the judge's family,
social, or other relationships to influence the judge's judicial
conduct or judgment. A
judge should not lend the prestige of judicial office to advance the
private interests of others; nor should a judge convey or permit
others to convey the impression that they are in a special position to
influence the judge. A judge should not testify voluntarily as a
character witness. (Adopted December 2, 1986,
effective January 1, 1987; amended October 15, 1993, effective
immediately.)
RULE
63
Canon 3.
A Judge Should Perform the Duties of Judicial Office
Impartially and Diligently.
The judicial duties of a judge take precedence over all the
judge's other activities. The judge's judicial duties include all the
duties of the judge's office prescribed by law.
In the performance of these duties, the following standards
apply:
A. Adjudicative
Responsibilities
(1) A judge should be faithful to the law and maintain
professional competence in it. A
judge should be unswayed by partisan interests, public clamor, or fear
of criticism.
(2) A judge should maintain order and decorum in proceedings
before the judge.
(3) A judge should be patient, dignified, and courteous to
litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, and others with whom the judge
deals in an official capacity, and should require similar conduct of
lawyers, and of staff,
court officials, and others subject to the judge's direction and
control.
(4) A judge shall accord to every person who has a legal
interest in a proceeding, or that person's lawyer, the right to be
heard according to law. A
judge shall not initiate, permit, or consider ex
parte communications, or consider other communications made to the
judge outside the presence of the parties concerning a pending or
impending proceeding except that:
(a) Where circumstances require, ex
parte communications for scheduling administrative purposes or
emergencies that do not deal with substantive matters or issues on the
merits are authorized; provided:
(i) the judge reasonably believes that no party will
gain a procedural or tactical advantage as a result of the ex parte communication, and
(ii) the judge makes provision promptly to notify all other
parties of the substance of the
ex parte communication and allows an opportunity to respond.
(b) A judge may consult with court personnel whose
function is to aid the judge in carrying out the judge's adjudicative
responsibilities or with other judges.
(c) A judge may, with the consent of the parties,
confer separately with the parties and their lawyers in an effort to
mediate or settle matters pending before the judge.
(d) A judge may initiate or consider any ex parte communications
when expressly authorized by law to do so.
(5) A judge shall devote full time to his or her
judicial duties and should dispose promptly of the business of
the court.
(6) A judge should abstain from public comment about a
pending or impending proceeding in any court, and should require
similar abstention on the part of court personnel subject to the
judge's direction and
control. This paragraph does not prohibit judges from making public
statements in the course of their official duties or from explaining
for public information the procedures of the court.
(7) Proceedings in court should be conducted with fitting dignity, decorum, and without distraction. The taking of photographs in the courtroom during sessions of the court or recesses between proceedings, and the broadcasting or televising of court proceedings is permitted only to the extent authorized by order of the supreme court. This rule is not intended to prohibit local circuit courts from using security cameras to monitor courtrooms, provided that cameras are controlled by designated court personnel. For the purposes of this rule, the use of the terms "photographs," "broadcasting," and "televising" include the audio or video transmissions or recordings made by telephones, personal data assistants, laptop computers, and other wired or wireless data transmission and recording devices.
(8) A judge shall perform judicial duties without bias or
prejudice. A judge shall
not, in the performance of judicial duties, by words or conduct
manifest bias or prejudice, including but not limited to bias or
prejudice based upon race, sex, religion, national origin, disability,
age, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status, and shall not permit
staff, court officials and others subject to the judge's direction and
control to do so.
(9) Proceedings before a judge shall be conducted without any
manifestation, by words or conduct, of prejudice based upon race, sex,
religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation or
socioeconomic status, by parties, jurors, witnesses, counsel, or
others. This section does
not preclude legitimate advocacy when these or similar factors are
issues in the proceedings.
B. Administrative
Responsibilities
(1) A judge should diligently discharge the judge's
administrative responsibilities, maintain professional competence in
judicial administration, and facilitate the performance of the
administrative responsibilities of other judges and court officials.
(2) A judge should require staff, court officials and others
subject to the judge's direction and control to observe the standards
of fidelity and diligence that apply to the judge.
(3)(a) A judge having knowledge of a violation of these canons
on the part of a judge or a violation of Rule 8.4 of the Rules of
Professional Conduct on the part of a lawyer shall take or initiate
appropriate disciplinary measures.
(b) Acts of a judge in mentoring a new judge pursuant to M.R. 14618 (Administrative Order of February 6, 1998, as amended June 5, 2000) and in the discharge of disciplinary responsibilities required or permitted by canon 3 or article VIII of the Rules of Professional Conduct are part of a judge's judicial duties and shall be absolutely privileged.
(c) Except as otherwise required by the supreme court rules, information pertaining to the new judge's performance which is obtained by the mentor in the course of the formal mentoring relationship shall be held in confidence by the mentor.
(4) A judge should not make unnecessary appointments.
A judge should exercise the power of appointment on the basis
of merit, avoiding nepotism and favoritism.
A judge should not approve compensation of appointees beyond
the fair value of services rendered.
(5) A judge should refrain from casting a vote for the
appointment or reappointment to the office of associate judge, of the
judge's spouse or of any person known by the judge to be within the
third degree of relationship to the judge or the judge's spouse (or
the spouse of such a person).
C. Disqualification
(1) A judge shall disqualify himself or herself in a
proceeding in which the judge's impartiality might reasonably be
questioned, including but not limited to instances where:
(a) the judge has a personal bias or prejudice
concerning a party or a party's lawyer, or personal knowledge of
disputed evidentiary facts concerning the proceeding;
(b) the judge served as a lawyer in the matter in
controversy, or a lawyer with whom the judge previously practiced law
served during such association as a lawyer concerning the matter, or
the judge has been a material witness concerning it;
(c) the judge was, within the preceding three years,
associated in the private practice of law with any law firm or lawyer
currently representing any party in the controversy (provided that
referral of cases when no monetary interest was retained shall not be
deemed an association within the meaning of this subparagraph) or, for
a period of seven years following the last date on which the judge
represented any party to the controversy while the judge was an
attorney engaged in the private practice of law;
(d) the judge knows that he or she, individually or as
a fiduciary, or the judge's spouse, parent or child wherever residing,
or any other member of the judge's family residing in the judge's
household, has an economic interest in the subject matter in
controversy or in a party to the proceeding,
or has any more than de
minimis interest that could be substantially affected by the
proceeding; or
(e) the judge or the
judge's spouse, or a person within the third degree of relationship to
either of them, or the spouse of such a person:
(i) is a party to the proceeding, or an officer,
director, or trustee of a party;
(ii) is acting as a lawyer in the proceeding;
(iii) is known by the judge to have a more than de minimis interest that could be substantially affected by the
proceeding; or
(iv) is to the judge's knowledge likely to be a material witness in
the proceeding.
(2) A judge shall keep informed about the judge's personal
and fiduciary economic interests, and make a reasonable effort to keep
informed about the personal economic interests of the judge's spouse
and minor children residing in the judge's household.
D. Remittal of
Disqualification
A
judge disqualified by the terms of Section 3C may disclose on the
record the basis of the judge's disqualification and may ask the
parties and their lawyers to consider, out of the presence of the
judge, whether to waive disqualification.
If following disclosure of any basis for disqualification other
than personal bias or prejudice concerning a party, the parties and
lawyers, without participation by the judge, all agree that the judge
should not be disqualified, and the judge is then willing to
participate, the judge may participate in the proceeding.
This agreement shall be incorporated in the record of the
proceeding. (Adopted
December 2, 1986, effective January 1, 1987; amended June 12, 1987,
effective August 1, 1987; amended, effective November 25, 1987;
amended, effective August 6, 1993; amended October 15, 1993, effective
immediately; amended March 26, 2001, effective immediately; amended
April 1, 2003, effective immediately;
amended December 5, 2003, effective immediately; amended April 17,
2007, effective immediately.)
Committee
Commentary
(April 1, 2003)
New subject (B)(3)(b) is a modified version of the ABA Model Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3D(3) (1990).
New subject (B)(3)(c) is the identical language currently contained in M.R. 14618 (Administrative Order of February 6, 1998, as amended June 5, 2000) subparagraph (b)(4) on confidentiality.
RULE
64
Canon 4.
A Judge May Engage in Activities to Improve the Law, the Legal
System, and the Administration of Justice.
A judge, subject to the proper performance
of his or her judicial duties, may engage in the following
law-related activities, if in doing so the judge does not cast doubt
on his or her capacity to decide impartially any issue that may come
before him or her.
A. A judge may speak, write, lecture, teach
(with the approval of the judge's supervising, presiding, or chief
judge), and participate in other activities concerning the law, the
legal system, and the administration of justice.
B. A judge may appear at a public hearing before an executive or legislative body or official on matters concerning the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice, and he or she may otherwise consult with an executive or legislative body or official, but only on matters concerning the administration of justice.
C. A judge may serve as a member, officer,
or director of an organization or
raising funds
and may participate in their management and investment, but should
not personally participate in public fund-raising activities. He or
she planning fund-raising activities; may participate in
the management and investment of the organization's funds; and may
appear at, participate in, and allow his or her title to be used in
connection with a fund-raising event for the organization.
Under no circumstances, however, shall a judge engage in direct,
personal solicitation of funds on the organization's behalf.
Inclusion of a judge's name on written materials used by the
organization for fund-raising purposes is permissible under this
rule so long as the materials do not purport to be from the judge
and list only the judge's name, office or other position in the
organization and, if comparable designations are listed for other
persons holding a similar position, the judge's judicial
title.
D. A judge may make recommendations to public and private fund-granting agencies on projects and programs concerning the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice.
Adopted December 2, 1986, effective January 1, 1987; amended June 4, 1991, effective August 1, 1991; Committee Commentary amended October 15, 1993, effective immediately; amended September 30, 2002, effective immediately; amended May 24, 2006, effective immediately..
Committee
Commentary
This canon regulates the permissible scope of a judicial officer's law-related activities. As a judicial officer and person specially learned in the law, a judge is in a unique position to contribute to the improvement of the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice, including revision of substantive and procedural law and improvement of criminal and juvenile justice. To the extent that the judge's time permits, he or she is encouraged to do so through appropriate channels.
Extrajudicial activities are governed by Canon 5.
For the distinction between those organizations devoted to the improvement of the law, the legal system, and the administration of justice referred to in paragraph C and other civic or charitable organizations, see Thode at page 76.
RULE
65
Canon 5.
A Judge Should Regulate His or Her Extrajudicial Activities to
Minimize the Risk of Conflict With the Judge's Judicial Duties.
A. Avocational
Activities. A judge
may write, lecture, teach, and speak on nonlegal subjects, and engage
in the arts, sports, and other social and recreational activities, if
such avocational activities do not detract from the dignity of the
judge's office or interfere with the performance of the judge's
judicial duties.
B. Civic
and Charitable Activities. A
judge may participate in civic and charitable activities that do not
reflect adversely upon the judge's impartiality or interfere with the
performance of the judge's judicial duties.
A judge may serve as an officer, director, trustee, or nonlegal
advisor of an educational, religious, charitable, fraternal, or civic
organization not conducted for the economic or political advantage of
its members, subject to the following limitations:
(1) A judge should not serve if it is likely that the
organization will be engaged in proceedings that would ordinarily come
before the judge or will be regularly engaged in adversary proceedings
in any court.
(2) A judge should not solicit or permit his or her name to
be used in any manner to solicit funds or other assistance for any
such organization. A
judge should not allow his or her name to appear on the letterhead of
any such organization where the stationary is used to solicit funds
and should not permit the judge's staff, court officials or others
subject to the judge's direction or control to solicit on the judge's
behalf for any purpose, charitable or otherwise. A judge should not may be a speaker or the guest of honor at an
organization's fund-raising events, but he or she may attend such
events.
C. Financial
Activities
(1) A judge should refrain from financial and business
dealings that tend to reflect adversely on the judge's impartiality,
interfere with the proper performance of the judge's judicial duties,
exploit the judge's judicial position, or involve the judge in
frequent transactions with lawyers or persons likely to come before
the court on which the judge serves.
(2) Subject to the requirements of subsection (1), a judge
may hold and manage investments, including real estate, and engage in
the activities usually incident to the ownership of such investments,
but a judge should not assume an active role in the management or
serve as an officer, director, or employee of any business.
(3) A judge should manage his or her investments and other
financial interests to minimize the number of cases in which the judge
is disqualified. As soon
as the judge can do so without serious financial detriment, the judge
should divest himself or herself of investments and other financial
interests that might require frequent disqualification.
(4) Neither a judge nor a member of the judge's family
residing in the judge's household should accept a gift, bequest,
favor, or loan from anyone except as follows:
(a) a judge may accept a gift incident to a public
testimonial to the judge; books supplied by publishers on a
complimentary basis for official use; or an invitation to the judge
and the judge's spouse to attend a bar-related function or activity
devoted to the improvement of the law, the legal system, or the
administration of justice;
(b) a judge or a member of the judge's family residing
in the judge's household may accept ordinary social hospitality; a
gift, bequest, favor or loan from a relative; a wedding or engagement
gift; a loan from a lending institution in its regular course of
business on the same terms generally available to persons who are not
judges; or a scholarship or fellowship awarded on the same terms
applied to other applicants;
(c) a judge or a member of the judge's family residing
in the judge's household may accept any other gift, bequest, favor, or
loan only if the donor is not a party or other person whose interests
have come or are likely to come before the judge, including lawyers
who practice or have practiced before the judge.
(5) Information acquired by a judge in the judge's judicial
capacity should not be used or disclosed by the judge in financial
dealings or for any other purpose not related to the judge's judicial
duties.
D. Fiduciary
Activities. A judge
should not serve as the executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or
other fiduciary, except for the estate, trust, or person of a member
of the judge's family, and then only if such service will not
interfere with the proper performance of the judge's judicial duties.
As a family fiduciary a judge is subject to the following
restrictions:
(1) The judge should not serve if it is likely that as a
fiduciary the judge will be engaged in proceedings that would
ordinarily come before the judge, or if the estate, trust, or ward
becomes involved in adversary proceedings in the court on which the
judge serves or one under its appellate jurisdiction.
(2) While acting as a fiduciary a judge is subject to the
same restrictions on financial activities that apply to the judge in
his or her personal capacity.
E. Arbitration.
A judge should not act as an arbitrator or mediator.
F. Practice
of Law. A judge
should not practice law.
G. Extrajudicial
Appointments. A judge
should not accept appointment to a governmental committee, commission,
or other position that is concerned with issues of fact or policy on
matters other than the improvement of the law, the legal system, or
the administration of justice. A
judge, however, may represent his or her country, State, or locality
on ceremonial occasions or in connection with historical, educational,
and cultural activities. (Adopted
December 2, 1986, effective January 1, 1987; amended October
15, 1993, effective immediately; amended May 24, 2006, effective
immediately.)
RULE
66
Canon 6.
Nonjudicial Compensation and Annual Statement of Economic
Interests.
A judge may receive compensation for the
law-related and extrajudicial activities permitted by this Code; if
the source of such payments does not give the appearance of
influencing the judge in his or her judicial duties or otherwise
give the appearance of impropriety, subject to the following
restrictions:
A. Compensation. Compensation should not
exceed a reasonable amount nor should it exceed what a person who is
not a judge would receive for the same activity.
B. Expense Reimbursement. Expense reimbursement shall be limited to the actual cost of travel, food, and lodging reasonably incurred by the judge and, where appropriate to the occasion, by the judge's spouse. Any payment in excess of such an amount is compensation.
C. Annual Declarations of Economic
Interests. A judge shall file a statement of economic interests as
required by Rule 68, as amended effective August 1, 1986, and
thereafter.
Adopted December 2, 1986, effective January 1, 1987; amended June 4, 1991, effective August 1, 1991; amended April 1, 1992, effective August 1, 1992; amended October 15, 1993, effective immediately; amended December 13, 1996, effective immediately; amended September 30, 2002, effective immediately.
RULE
67
Canon 7.
A Judge or
Judicial Candidate Shall Refrain from Inappropriate Political
Activity.
A. All Judges
and Candidates
(1) Except as authorized in subsections B(1)(b) and B(3), a
judge or judicial candidate for election to judicial office shall not:
(a) act as a leader or hold an office in a political
organization;
(b) publicly endorse or publicly oppose another
candidate for public office;
(c) make speeches on behalf of a political
organization;
(d) solicit funds for, or pay an assessment to a
political organization or candidate.
(2) A judge shall resign from judicial office upon becoming a
candidate for a non-judicial office either in a primary or in a
general election.
(3) A candidate for a judicial office:
(a) shall maintain the dignity appropriate to judicial
office and act in a manner consistent with the integrity and
independence of the judiciary, and shall encourage members of the
candidate's family to adhere to the same standards of political
conduct in support of the candidate as apply to the candidate;
(b) shall prohibit employees and officials who serve at
the pleasure of the candidate, and shall discourage other employees
and officials subject to the candidate's direction and control from
doing on the candidate's behalf what the candidate is prohibited from
doing under the provisions of this Canon;
(c) except to the extent permitted by subsection B(2),
shall not authorize or knowingly permit any other person to do for the
candidate what the candidate is prohibited from doing under the
provisions of this Canon:
(d) shall not:
(i) make statements that commit or appear to commit the
candidate with respect to cases, controversies or issues within cases
that are likely to come before the court; or
(ii) knowingly misrepresent the identity, qualifications,
present position or other fact concerning the candidate or an
opponent; and
(e) may respond to personal attacks or attacks on the
candidate's record as long as the response does not violate subsection
A(3)(d).
B. Authorized
Activities for Judges and Candidates
(1) A judge or candidate may, except as prohibited by law:
(a) at any time
(i) purchase tickets for and attend political
gatherings;
(ii) identify himself or herself as a member of a political
party; and
(iii) contribute to a political organization;
(b) when a candidate for public election
(i)
speak to gatherings on his or
her own behalf;
(ii)
appear in newspaper,
television and other media advertisements supporting his or her
candidacy;
(iii) distribute pamphlets and other promotional campaign literature
supporting his or her candidacy; and
(iv) publicly endorse or publicly oppose other candidates in a public election in which the judge or judicial candidate is running.
(2) A candidate shall not personally solicit or accept
campaign contributions. A
candidate may establish committees of responsible persons to conduct
campaigns for the candidate through media advertisements, brochures,
mailings, candidate forums and other means not prohibited by law.
Such committees may solicit and accept reasonable campaign
contributions, manage the expenditure of funds for the candidate's
campaign and obtain public statements of support for his or her
candidacy. Such
committees are not prohibited from soliciting and accepting reasonable
campaign contributions and public support from lawyers.
A candidate's committees may solicit contributions and public
support for the candidate's campaign no earlier than one year before
and an election and no later than 90 days after the last election in
which the candidate participates during the election year.
A candidate shall not use or permit the use of campaign
contributions for the private benefit of the candidate or others.
(3) Except as prohibited by law, a candidate for judicial
office in a public election may permit the candidate's name: (a) to be
listed on election materials along with the names of other candidates
for elective public office, and (b) to appear in promotions of the
ticket.
C. Incumbent
Judges. A judge shall
not engage in any political activity except (i) as authorized under
any other provision of this Code, (ii) on behalf of measures to
improve the law, the legal system or the administration of justice, or
(iii) as expressly authorized by law.
D. Applicability.
Canon 7 generally applies to all incumbent judges and judicial
candidates. A successful
candidate, whether or not an incumbent, is subject to judicial
discipline for his or her campaign conduct; an unsuccessful candidate
who is a lawyer is subject to lawyer discipline for his or her
campaign conduct. A
lawyer who is a candidate for judicial office is subject to Rule
8.2(b) of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
(Amended August 6, 1993, effective
immediately; amended March 24, 1994, effective immediately.)
RULE
68
Declaration of Economic Interests
A judge shall file annually with the Clerk of the Illinois Supreme Court (the Clerk) a verified written statement of economic interests and relationships of the judge and members of the judge's immediate family (the statement).
As statements are filed in the Clerk's office, the Clerk shall cause the fact of that filing to be indicated on an alphabetical listing of judges who are required to file such statements. Blank statement forms shall be furnished to the Clerk by the Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (the Director).
Any person who files or has filed a statement under this rule shall receive from the Clerk a receipt indicating that the person has filed such a statement and the date of such filing.
All statements filed under this rule shall be available for examination by the public during business hours in the Clerk's office in Springfield or in the satellite office of the Clerk in Chicago. Original copies will be maintained only in Springfield, but requests for examination submitted in Chicago will be satisfied promptly. Each person requesting examination of a statement or portion thereof must first fill out a form prepared by the Director specifying the statement requested, identifying the examiner by name, occupation, address and telephone number, and listing the date of the request and the reason for such request. The Director shall supply such forms to the Clerk and replenish such forms upon request. Copies of statements or portions of statements will be supplied to persons ordering them upon payment of such reasonable fee per page as is required by the Clerk. Payment may be by check or money order in the exact amount due.
The Clerk shall promptly notify each judge required to file a statement under this rule of each instance of an examination of the statement by sending the judge a copy of the identification form filled out by the person examining the statement.
The contents of the statement required by this rule shall be as specified by administrative order of this court.
Effective March 15, 1970; amended April 1, 1986, effective August 1, 1986.
ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER
The verified statements of economic interests and relationships referred to in our Rule 68, as amended effective August 1, 1986, shall be filed by all judges on or before April 30, 1987, and on or before April 30, annually thereafter. Such statements shall also be filed by every person who becomes a judge, within 45 days after assuming office. However, judges who assume office on or after December 1 and who file the statement before the following April 30 shall not be required to file the statement due on April 30. The form of such statements shall be as provided by the Administrative Director of the Illinois Courts, and they shall include all information required by Rule 68 and this order, including:
1. Current economic interests of the judge and members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge) whether in the form of stock, bond, dividend, interest, trust, realty, rent, certificate of deposit, deposit in any financial institution, pension plan, Keogh plan, Individual Retirement Account, equity or creditor interest in any corporation, proprietorship, partnership, instrument of indebtedness or otherwise. Every source of noninvestment income in the form of a fee, commission, compensation, compensation for personal service, royalty, pension, honorarium or otherwise must also be listed. No reimbursement of expenses by any unit of government and no interest in deferred compensation under a plan administered by the State of Illinois need be listed. No amounts or account numbers need be listed in response to this paragraph 1. In listing his or her personal residence(s) in response to this paragraph 1, the judge shall not state the address(es). Current economic interests shall be as of a date within 30 days preceding the date of filing the statement.
2. Former economic interests of the type required to be disclosed in response to numbered paragraph 1 which were held by the judge or any member of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge) during the year preceding the date of verification. Current economic interests listed in response to numbered paragraph 1 need not be listed. No amounts or account numbers need be listed in response to this paragraph 2. In listing his or her personal residence(s) in response to this paragraph 2, the judge shall not state the address(es).
3. The names of all creditors to whom amounts in excess of $500 are owed by the judge or members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge) or were owed during the year preceding the date of verification. For each such obligation there is to be listed the category for the amount owed as of the date of verification and the maximum category for the amount of each such obligation during the year preceding the date of verification of the statement. The categories for reporting the amount of each such obligation are as follows:
(a) not more than $5,000;
(b) greater than $5,000 but not more than $15,000;
(c) greater than $15,000 but not more than $50,000;
(d) greater than $50,000 but not more than $100,000;
(e) greater than $100,000 but not more than $250,000; and
(f) greater than $250,000.
Excluded from this requirement are obligations consisting of revolving charge accounts, with an outstanding liability equal to or less than $5,000.
4. The name of any individual personally known by the judge to be licensed to practice law in Illinois who is a co-owner with the judge or members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge) of any of the economic interests disclosed in paragraphs 1 and 2, and the name of any person who has acted as a surety or guarantor of any of the obligations required to be disclosed in paragraph 3.
5. A list of every office, directorship and salaried employment of the judge and members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge). Exclude unsalaried positions in religious, social or fraternal organizations, and honorary positions.
6. Pending cases in which the judge or members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge) are parties in interest and, to the extent personally known to the judge, pending cases in which a party is an economic entity in which the judge or any member of the judge’s immediate family has an interest. Cases in which a judge has been sued in the judge’s official capacity shall not be included.
7. Any fiduciary position, including executorships and trusteeships of the judge or members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge).
8. The name of the donor and a brief description of any gifts received by the judge or members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge). Gifts of transportation, food, lodging or entertainment having a value in excess of $250 must be reported. All other gifts having a value in excess of $100 must be reported. Gifts between the judge and the judge’s spouse, children, or parents shall not be reported.
9. Any other economic interest or relationship of the judge or of members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge) which could create a conflict of interest for the judge in the judge’s judicial capacity, other than those listed in numbered paragraphs 1 to 8 hereof.
Prior to the first Monday in March of each year the Director shall inform each judge by letter of the requirements of this amended rule. The Director shall similarly inform by letter each person who becomes a judge of the requirements of the rule within 10 days of such person assuming office. The Director shall include with such letter instructions concerning the required statements, two sets of the statement forms, and one mailing envelope preaddressed to the Clerk. The Clerk shall redact personal residence addresses contained in any statement filed pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 68. The letter, instructions, and statements shall be in substantially the form set forth below:
[Letterhead of Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts]
______________, 20__
TO: MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
RE: Compliance with Supreme Court Rule 68
As a member of the judiciary, you are required to file an annual
statement of economic interests pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 68.
Enclosed are the necessary forms and envelopes to be used in
complying with Rule 68 on or before ___________, 19
20__.
In this packet are:
(A) One copy of "Instructions Concerning Required Statement for Members of the Judiciary of the State of Illinois."
(B) Two copies of the form entitled "Statement Required of Members of the Judiciary of the State of Illinois." [One copy to be filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court; one copy to be retained for your records.]
(C) One 9 x 12 mailing envelope preaddressed to the Clerk of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court requests you follow these instructions carefully and asks that you be certain to return the original of your statement in the mailing envelope furnished herewith preaddressed to the Clerk of the Supreme Court.
Forms for compliance with Public Act 77–1806, "Illinois Governmental Ethics Act," will be mailed to you under separate cover and must be filed separately with the Secretary of State.
Very truly yours,
Director
INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING REQUIRED
STATEMENT FOR MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY
OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
On or before April 30, 1987, and on or before April 30, annually thereafter, every judge of the Supreme Court, the Appellate Court, and every judge and associate judge of the Circuit Court shall file a verified written statement (the statement) of economic interests and relationships which may create conflicts of interest, with the Clerk of the Illinois Supreme Court. Such statements shall be filed by every person who becomes a judge or associate judge within 45 days after assuming office and on or before each April 30 thereafter. However, judges who assume office on or after December 1 and who file the statement before the following April 30 shall not be required to file the statement due on April 30.
The statements required shall include the following information which, except where noted, shall include information as of the date of verification of the statement.
1. Current economic interests of the judge and members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge) whether in the form of stock, bond, dividend, interest, trust, realty, rent, certificate of deposit, deposit in any financial institution, pension plan, Keogh plan, Individual Retirement Account, equity or creditor interest in any corporation, proprietorship, partnership, instrument of indebtedness or otherwise. Every source of noninvestment income in the form of a fee, commission, compensation, compensation for personal service, royalty, pension, honorarium or otherwise must also be listed. No reimbursement of expenses by any unit of government and no interest in deferred compensation under a plan administered by the State of Illinois need be listed. No amounts or account numbers need be listed in response to this paragraph 1. In listing his or her personal residence(s) in response to this paragraph 1, the judge shall not state the address(es). Current economic interests shall be as of a date within 30 days preceding the date of filing the statement.
2. Former economic interests of the type required to be disclosed in response to numbered paragraph 1 which were held by the judge or any member of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge) during the year preceding the date of verification. Current economic interests listed in response to numbered paragraph 1 need not be listed. No amounts or account numbers need be listed in response to this paragraph 2. In listing his or her personal residence(s) in response to this paragraph 2, the judge shall not state the address(es).
3. The names of all creditors to whom amounts in excess of $500 are owed by the judge or members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge) or were owed during the year preceding the date of verification. For each such obligation there is to be listed the category for the amount owed as of the date of verification and the maximum category for the amount of each such obligation during the year preceding the date of verification of the statement. The categories for reporting the amount of each such obligation are as follows:
(a) not more than $5,000;
(b) greater than $5,000 but not more than $15,000;
(c) greater than $15,000 but not more than $50,000;
(d) greater than $50,000 but not more than $100,000;
(e) greater than $100,000 but not more than $250,000; and
(f) greater than $250,000.
Excluded from this requirement are obligations consisting of revolving charge accounts, with an outstanding liability equal to or less than $5,000.
4. The name of any individual personally known by the judge to be licensed to practice law in Illinois who is a co-owner with the judge or members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge) of any of the economic interests disclosed in paragraphs 1 and 2, and the name of any person who has acted as a surety or guarantor of any of the obligations required to be disclosed in paragraph 3.
5. A list of every office, directorship and salaried employment of the judge and members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge). Exclude unsalaried positions in religious, social or fraternal organizations, and honorary positions.
6. Pending cases in which the judge or members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge) are parties in interest, and, to the extent personally known to the judge, pending cases in which a party is an economic entity in which the judge or any member of the judge’s immediate family has an interest. Cases in which a judge has been sued in the judge’s official capacity shall not be included.
7. Any fiduciary position, including executorships and trusteeships of the judge and members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and any minor child residing with the judge).
8. The name of the donor and a brief description of any gifts received by the judge or members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge). Gifts of transportation, food, lodging or entertainment having a value in excess of $250 must be reported. All other gifts having a value in excess of $100 must be reported. Gifts between the judge and the judge’s spouse, children or parents shall not be reported.
9. Any other economic interest or relationship of the judge or of members of the judge’s immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with the judge) which could create a conflict of interest for the judge in the judge’s judicial capacity other than those listed in numbered paragraphs 1 to 8 hereof.
The Statement required herein shall be in substantially the form titled "STATEMENT REQUIRED OF MEMBERS OF THE JUDICIARY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS," which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(SAMPLE)
EXHIBIT A
STATEMENT REQUIRED OF MEMBERS OF THE
JUDICIARY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS
1. My current economic interests and the current economic interests of my immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with me) are as follows:
(Here list current economic interests specified in numbered paragraph 1 of the instructions setting forth the date (within 30 days of the date of filing) as of which said interests are being reported.)
2. My former economic interests and the former economic interests of my immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with me) held during the year preceding the date of verification:
(Here list former economic interests specified in numbered paragraph 2 of the instructions.)
3. Creditors to whom amounts in excess of $500 are owed as of the date of verification or were owed during the year preceding the date of verification by me or members of my immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with me), exclusive of revolving charge accounts with an outstanding liability equal to or less than $5,000, the amount of each such obligation outstanding as of the date of verification and the maximum amount of each such obligation during such preceding year within the categories set forth in numbered paragraph 3 of the instructions:
(Here list in accordance with numbered paragraph 3 of the instructions.)
4. The name of any individual personally known by me to be licensed to practice law in Illinois who is a co-owner with me or members of my immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with me) of any of the economic interests disclosed in paragraphs 1 and 2, and the name of any person who has acted as a surety or guarantor of any of the obligations required to be disclosed in paragraph 3.
(Here list in accordance with numbered paragraph 4 of the instructions.)
5. My offices, directorships, and salaried employments and the offices, directorships and salaried employments of my immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with me) are as follows:
(Here list in accordance with numbered paragraph 5 of the instructions.)
6. Pending cases in which I or members of my immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with me) have an interest are as follows:
(Here list pending cases in which you or members of your immediate family are parties in interest, or an economic entity in which you or they have an interest is a party, in accordance with numbered paragraph 6 of the instructions.)
7. My fiduciary positions, including executorships and directorships, and the fiduciary positions of the members of my immediate family (my spouse and minor children residing with me) are as follows:
(Here list fiduciary positions in accordance with numbered paragraph 7 of the instructions.)
8. The name of the donor of gifts received by me or members of my immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with me) during the year preceding the date of verification, are as follows:
(Here list gifts in accordance with numbered paragraph 8 of the instructions.)
9. My economic interests and relationships and those of my immediate family (spouse and minor children residing with me), other than those listed in numbered paragraphs 1 to 8 hereof, which could create conflicts of interest for me in my judicial capacity are as follows:
(Here insert any economic interest or relationship which might or could create a substantial conflict of interest.)
VERIFICATION
Pursuant to Supreme Court Rule 68, I declare that this statement of economic interest, including any accompanying schedules and statements, as it relates to me and members of my immediate family, has been examined by me and to the best of my knowledge and belief is true, correct and complete.
________________________
Judge’s Signature
________________________
Date
Adopted by Order Entered April 1, 1986; order amended April 20, 1987, effective August 1, 1987; order amended December 30, 1993, effective January 1, 1994; order amended December 1, 1995, effective immediately; order amended September 23, 2005, effective immediately.
(Repealed December 2,
1986; effective January 1, 1987.)
(Repealed December 2, 1986; effective January 1, 1987.)
A judge who violates Rules 61 through 68 may be subject to
discipline by the Illinois Courts Commission.
(Amended, effective January 1,
1987.)
RULE
76
Military Service of Judges
(a) Military
Service During War. A judge or associate judge may serve for a
period of no more than 12 months in the state militia or the armed
forces of the United States when called into active military service
during war between the United States and a foreign government. The
judge or associate judge’s military pay may be supplemented for the
first 30 days with full pay and, thereafter, in an amount necessary to
bring his or her total salary, inclusive of base military pay, to the
level earned at the time he or she was called to service. After the
12-month period, a judge or associate judge who remains on active duty
may request from the Supreme Court of Illinois an extension of the
12-month period.
(b) Reserve or Guard Training. A judge or associate judge
who is a commissioned reserve officer or a reserve enlisted in the
United States military or naval service or a member of the National
Guard may serve on all days during which they are engaged in training
ordered under the provisions of the United States military or naval
training regulations for such personnel when assigned to active or
inactive duty. Training shall be with full pay, not to exceed 30 days
in each year.
(c) Benefits During Military Service. During periods of active
military service, a judge or associate judge may be entitled to continued
health insurance and other existing benefits, including retirement
privileges. For purposes of computing whether a judge or associate
judge may be entitled to retirement, a period of active military
service shall be deemed continuous service in the office of said judge
or associate judge.
(d) Resumption of Judicial Duties. A judge or associate
judge terminating active military service shall immediately enter upon
his or her judicial duties for the unexpired portion of the term for
which he or she was elected or appointed.
(e) Term of Office. In the event that the term of office of
a judge or associate judge shall expire during such period of active
military service, the office shall be filled by election or
ap